Thief-proof attachment fob portable



J. E. ROBERTSON. THIEF PROOF ATTACHMENT FOR PORTABLE RECEPTACLES.

APPLICATION FILED A'JG. l3. I918.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

JOHN Lnnn) Roiannrson, or NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

Specification of Letters Patent. 1 Patented Sept. 2,1919.

hppheat'ion filed Augast 1a. 1913. SeriaINo. 249.726.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that 1, JOHN E. RoBnn'rsoN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Norfollnin the county of Norfolk and (State of Virginia, have invented new and useful improvements in Thief-Proof Attachments for Portable Receptacles, of whichthe fol lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to thief proof attachments for portable receptacles, such as pocketbooks or purses, the object in view being to provide means whereby such a receptacle as a pocketbook or purse may be detachably secured to a garment worn by the person carrying such receptacle in such a manner as to render it impossible for a pickpocket or thief to obtain possession of such receptacle without the greatest diiiiculty and without fully notifying the owner of such receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to produce sut'h a device which will enable the pocketbook or other receptacle to be easily and quickly detached and attached.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as

herein described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device complete and ready for application to the garment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the relation of the strap to the latch and latch housing.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the I bolt.

Fig. 4 is a section through the latch housing, showing the latch in engagement with the bolt. 1

Fig. 5 is a View in elevation of the attach ing device or hanger including the latch housing.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a receptacle which is illustrated in the form of a foldable pocketbook or purse. The receptacle 1 is provided with one or more strap engaging loops 2 for passage therethrough of a flexible securing strap 3 of leather or other suitable material, the arrangement be ing such that when the strap is passed around the receptacle 1 and inserted through the loop 2, said receptacle will be retained in its folded position, so that it can not be opened and the contents thereof removed. The strap 3 is of suitable length to extend the necessary distance from the receptacle 1. and has attached to the free end thereof a bolt 4 which is formed with a limiting shoulder 5 and a latch engaging lip 6, the

extreme end portion of Said bolt being beveled or tapered as shown at 7 to enable the. same to thrust aside the latch hereina after to be referred to, and engage the shoulder 5 of said bolt with the latch. In con nection with the structure hereinabove referred to, I employ an attaching device or hanger comprising a housing 8 in which is mounted a slidable latch 9 which is pressed toward its bolt engaging position by means of a spring 10, the latch having a laterally projecting stud or pin 11 which works through an elongated slot 12 in one side wall of the housing so that said stud or pin may be pressed against the tension of the spring 10 to disengage the latch from the shoulder (S of the bolt, after which the bolt may be withdrawn from said housing.

The attaching device or hanger comprises in addition to the housing 8 a hanger strap 13 which is preferably composed of some flexible material, such as leather and through which a portion of a garment may be inserted, such as a suspender strap or one of the suspender ends, thereby enabling the device as a whole, to be attached to a garment and securely held thereby.

rev s-rang emerhen the device is attached to a garment in the manner above described, it is impossible for the receptacle 1 to become accidentally displaced and lost, or removed by a thief or pickpocket without duly notifying the owner of the receptacle. At any time, however, the owner may easily and quickly detach. the receptacle embracing strap from the hanger or attaching device, and obtain access to the contents of said receptacle.

I do-notdesire to be limited to any special material in the formation of the above described device nor to any particular design of the several features thereof, as it will be apparent that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

It will, of course, be understood that in the use of the invention by males the look ing means may be arranged on the inside of the pocket of a coat, trousers or other article of clothing, so that a pocketbook or and having a latch engaging shoulder, a

other article mav be secured to the person 2. Ina device of the class described, the 5 in a thief-proof manner.

I claim 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a receptacle, a flexible suspending strap attached thereto, a bolt fastened to the free end portion of said strap hanger adapted for attachment to a garment and comprising a latch housing, a

' spring thrust latch slidably mounted in said housing and movable into and out of enoperating said latch.

combination of a receptacle, a flexible suspending strap attached thereto, a bolt fastened to the free end portion of said strap and having a latch engaging shoulder, a

hanger adapted for attachment to a gar- 20 ment and comprising a latch housing, a spring thrust latch slidably mounted in said housing and movable into and out of engagement with said bolt, and means for operating said latch, said bolt having a beveled latch shifting end portion.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

JOHN ELDRID ROBERTSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

" Washington, D. G. 

